HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 934
P RO VERBS 7
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It will keep you from the immoral woman,
from the smooth tongue of a promiscuous
woman.
Don’t lust for her beauty.
Don’t let her coy glances seduce you.
For a prostitute will bring you to poverty,*
but sleeping with another man’s wife will
cost you your life.
Can a man scoop a flame into his lap
and not have his clothes catch on fire?
Can he walk on hot coals
and not blister his feet?
So it is with the man who sleeps with
another man’s wife.
He who embraces her will not go
unpunished.
Excuses might be found for a thief
who steals because he is starving.
But if he is caught, he must pay back seven
times what he stole,
even if he has to sell everything in his
house.
But the man who commits adultery is an
utter fool,
for he destroys himself.
He will be wounded and disgraced.
His shame will never be erased.
For the woman’s jealous husband will
be furious,
and he will show no mercy when he
takes revenge.
He will accept no compensation,
nor be satisfied with a payoff of any size.
Another Warning about Immoral Women
1 Follow my advice, my son;
always treasure my commands.
2 Obey my commands and live!
Guard my instructions as you guard
your own eyes.*
3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
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Love wisdom like a sister;
make insight a beloved member of
your family.
Let them protect you from an affair with
an immoral woman,
from listening to the flattery of a
promiscuous woman.
While I was at the window of my house,
looking through the curtain,
I saw some naive young men,
and one in particular who lacked
common sense.
He was crossing the street near the house
of an immoral woman,
strolling down the path by her house.
It was at twilight, in the evening,
as deep darkness fell.
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The woman approached him,
seductively dressed and sly of heart.
She was the brash, rebellious type,
never content to stay at home.
She is often in the streets and markets,
soliciting at every corner.
She threw her arms around him and
kissed him,
and with a brazen look she said,
“I’ve just made my peace offerings
and fulfilled my vows.
You’re the one I was looking for!
I came out to find you, and here you are!
My bed is spread with beautiful blankets,
with colored sheets of Egyptian linen.
I’ve perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
Come, let’s drink our fill of love until
morning.
Let’s enjoy each other’s caresses,
for my husband is not home.
He’s away on a long trip.
He has taken a wallet full of money
with him
and won’t return until later this month.*”
So she seduced him with her pretty
speech
and enticed him with her flattery.
He followed her at once,
like an ox going to the slaughter.
He was like a stag caught in a trap,*
awaiting the arrow that would pierce
its heart.
He was like a bird flying into a snare,
little knowing it would cost him his life.
So listen to me, my sons,
and pay attention to my words.
Don’t let your hearts stray away toward her.
Don’t wander down her wayward path.
For she has been the ruin of many;
many men have been her victims.
Her house is the road to the grave.*
Her bedroom is the den of death.
Wisdom Calls for a Hearing
1 Listen as Wisdom calls out!
Hear as understanding raises her
voice!
2 On the hilltop along the road,
she takes her stand at the crossroads.
3 By the gates at the entrance to the town,
on the road leading in, she cries aloud,
4 “I call to you, to all of you!
I raise my voice to all people.
5 You simple people, use good judgment.
You foolish people, show some
understanding.
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6:26 Hebrew to a loaf of bread. 7:2 Hebrew as the pupil of
your eye. 7:20 Hebrew until the moon is full. 7:22 As in
Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads slaughter, as shackles
are for the discipline of a fool. 7:27 Hebrew to Sheol.